The question is this. When you read the New Testament scriptures, do you understand what ye read? Do you understand that Jesus is the Word made flesh? Do you understand that Jesus is no longer nailed to a cross? Moreover, how do we deal with scriptures that clearly state that Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending, the King of kings and Lord of lords, particularly in light of modern day religious teachings that reduce Jesus to a second person within a three-headed godhead?
It is at this juncture that we who profess to believe need to study the scriptures so that we wholly understand that this same Jesus whom ye/we have crucified in our hearts is now (after His resurrection) both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36; Revelation 1:8) The first man earthy, but the second, our Redeemer, the Lord from heaven. And that He -- this same Jesus -- is inviting those who believe in Him to Come and Dine at His wedding feast.
Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Jesus -- Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23)
Jesus -- God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16)
To wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. (II Corinthians 5:17)
The place of the scripture which he read from Isaiah was this: "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before His shearer, so opened He not His mouth: in His humiliation His judgment was taken away: and who shall declare His generation? for His life is taken from the earth."
From Isaiah -- "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opens not His mouth." (Isaiah 53:7)
And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, "I pray thee, of whom speaks the prophet this? of Himself, or of some other man?" Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, "See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?" And Philip said, "If thou believe with all thine heart, thou may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
In scriptural example after example, the apostles in the New Testament body of Christ church preached Jesus, and believing followers were water baptized in His Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 8:35; Acts 2:36-41; Acts 10:44-48) Indeed, their eyes were focused on Jesus -- as both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) With determination they preached nothing “save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” and as a result they turned cities upside down.
"And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." (I Corinthians 2:1-5)
The point being that the apostles and members of the early church knew the resurrected Christ. But more importantly, they trusted in the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep. And that same Good Shepherd is coming back to rescue His sheep from this increasingly perishing world.
"As a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out My sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day." (Ezekiel 34:12)
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cæsarea." (Acts 8:30-40)
In scriptural example after example, the apostles in the New Testament body of Christ church preached Jesus, and believing followers were water baptized in His Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 8:35; Acts 2:36-41; Acts 10:44-48) Indeed, their eyes were focused on Jesus -- as both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) With determination they preached nothing “save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” and as a result they turned cities upside down.
In preaching the good news gospel of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ to one and all, the church grew in numbers, even in the face of longstanding persecution. Their faith wasn't hidden from others. Indeed, the beatings and imprisonments only further grounded their understanding of Jesus as their King of kings and Lord of lords. And whilst those in authority did not understand the boldness of the apostles, they had to begrudgingly admit and marvel, taking note that these "unlearned and ignorant men" must have been with Jesus.
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13)
But what is too often missing in the gospel message taught today is that the early church believers weren't just believing because they knew of the Christ Jesus who walked the earth. This same Jesus who was crucified and His body placed in a tomb by Joseph and Nicodemus. This same Jesus who healed the sick, and did miracles among the people, healing the broken-hearted, having chased out the moneychangers in the temple.
No, the believing saints in the New Testament church knew the "risen Jesus" -- the resurrected Jesus -- whom after He was taken up, He through the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3) The Comforter, the Holy Ghost whom Jesus said would never leave them nor forsake them, and would lead His people into all truth. The Holy Ghost that would come and dwell in them, when they would see Jesus (as a man) no more. It is this risen Jesus -- who Peter identified as both Lord and Christ on the day of Pentecost -- whom these served. (Acts 2:36)
This is why we who trust in the Lord Jesus by faith should be "looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ!" (Titus 2:13)
Because that day is surely coming, and much sooner than we think. Nevertheless, the question is do we understand what we read? Do we believe in the One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism that the apostles were so willingly to be persecuted for? (Ephesians 4:5-6) Do we worship Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords, the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ?
It's time to return to our first love, wherein we trusted in the Lord Jesus by faith for our sustenance and day to day. Yes, He is still the Bread of Life. Yes, He is still the living water wherein if we drink, we will never thirst again. Yes, Jesus is the He -- that if we would only believe, will establish our steps in His purposes, renewing our hearts and minds with His wisdom and knowledge and grace. Don't let the cares of this world lead you astray. Don't become like the foolish Galatians who settle for a sermon once a week, without checking their foundation.
It does not have to be this way. Instead, ask the Lord Jesus to "give you this day your daily bread!" Ask Him to lead and guide you into all truth. Search the scriptures for therein is truth, the same Word that sanctifies and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Most of all, be diligent and understand that the volume of the book is "written of Me!"
Stand in the offering plate.
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